Safety & Health

Idaho Firefighter Hurt in Fall Through Church Ceiling

Aug. 20, 2014

A Twin Falls firefighter was hospitalized after he fell through the ceiling of a church while looking for hot spots in the attic area.

Source The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho

Aug. 19--TWIN FALLS -- A firefighter who was injured on the job Monday continued to be evaluated Tuesday, said city spokesman Joshua Palmer.

Tim Lauda, a captain with the Twin Falls Fire Department, hurt his knee when he fell through a ceiling in a church, Palmer said.

A man was burning weeds in a parking lot at the Airport Road Freewill Baptist Church at 869 Washington St. S. when the flames burned a bush next to the church. The flames reached the church's eaves and smoldered in the roof, causing damage to the building.

Lauda was inspecting the area beneath the church's roof to ensure there were no remaining embers when he stepped on a weak spot in the ceiling and fell through, Palmer said.

Palmer said Lauda has been with the city fire department since 2001 and was previously a Buhl firefighter. Palmer did not have specifics on Lauda's knee injury but said the firefighter was evaluated at St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center.

Lauda was not listed as a patient Tuesday afternoon.